France

Question 1

Three reasons for the French Revolution from Suzanne Desan’s course:

Answer 1

(1) Debt
(2) Enlightenment
(3) Commerce

A big cause of debt was the American War of Independence. The commerce was with Asia, Africa and America and created a new merchant class

Question 2

France: post-Napoleonic Era to WW1

Answer 2

1815 - 1830: Bourbon Restoration

1830: July Revolution
1830 - 1848: July Monarchy

1848: Revolution
1848 - 1852: Napoleon III is President
1852 - 1870: Napoleon III is Emperor

1870: Franco-Prussian War; Paris Commune
1870 - 1940: Third Republic

Question 3

Forms of government in the French Revolution:

Answer 3

• National Assembly (2.25 years - Jul 1789 - Sep 1791)
• Legislative Assembly (1 year - Sep 1791 - Sep 1792)
• National Convention (3 years - Oct 1792 - Oct 1795)
• Directory (4 years - Nov 1795 - Nov 1799)
• Consulate (5 years - 1799 - 1804)
• Empire (9 years - 1804 - 1815)

Question 4

French Rev: What was the National Assembly?

Answer 4

The period from when the Revolution started, while they were still writing a constitution, up until they adopted the Constitution of 1791

Question 5

French Rev: Who was effectively the leader of the National Assembly?

Answer 5

Mirabeau

Question 6

French Rev: What were some of the key events in the National Assembly period?

Answer 6

• Abolition of feudalism (Aug 1789)
• Women’s March on Versailles (Oct 1789)
• Civil Constitution of the Clergy (Jul 1790)
• King’s Flight (Jun 1791)

Question 7

French Rev: What was the Legislative Assembly?

Answer 7

The one-year period of constitutional monarchy under the Constitution of 1791, up until they decide to get rid of the King and get a new constitution

Question 8

French Rev: When was the first Constitution adopted?

Answer 8

September 1791

Question 9

French Rev: During which period (in terms of the form of government) did war break out?

Answer 9

Legislative Assembly

Question 10

What were the key events in the Legislative Assembly?

Answer 10

• The start of war
• Storming of the Tuileries (Jun-Aug 1792)
• Vote to get rid of the King (Sep 1792)

Question 11

French Rev: What was the National Convention?

Answer 11

The period after the decision was taken to remove the King, making the first Constitution redundant. The National Convention was convened in 1792 to draw up a new Constitution without a monarchy.

Question 12

French Rev: What happened during the National Convention?

Answer 12

• First year: Tensions bubble between Girondins and Jacobites (Sep 1792 - Sep 1793)
• Second year: The Terror (Sep 1793 - summer 1794)
• Third year: Convention regains a bit of initiative after the execution of Robespierre, until Brumaire (summer 1794 - Oct 1795)

Question 13

French Rev: When was Louis XVI executed?

Answer 13

Jan 1793

Question 14

French Rev: What were major issues with the Constitution of 1791 and the political order it created?

Answer 14

• The distinction between active and passive citizens
• The self-denying ordinance, meaning all delegates in the National Assembly resigned

Question 15

French Rev: When did War begin?

Answer 15

April 1792

This was during the Legislative Assembly